GM Tyranius (PF2) The Pathfinder Trials (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Norbwald is able to successfully sneak past but Ronnie trips over his own two feet next to the plushie and skids on the floor. The plushie snorts and begis to stir. Any more noise and it will likely awaken.

➤ Fisette (15/15 HP)
➤ Ronnie (21/21 HP)

Achurius stands ready to use the sleep spell.

I go again?

stealth: 1d20 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 8

7, 7, then a 5. Wow.

"Whoa. Oopsie."

Sigh. I tried to post something last night but then Paizo went down and I had to go to bed. I wanted Fisette to motion to Ronnie to pull the hood of the cloak over his head before trying again. (That activates the invisibility power of the cloak.)

Ronnie can do that.

Ronnie can do that.

I guess you are the weakest link. Almost inevitable though. Parties inevitably have at least one member that cannot sneak worth a damn, and usually multiples.

Fisette is up.

With the cloak and boots a second use of Invisibility was available, so when it was her turn she pulled the cloak over her head and carefully moved across the room.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Fisette makes it past as Ronnie's stumble nearly wakes the sleeping plush doll.

Sorrina Westyr meets you at the end of the corridor, and congratulates you by saying, ”Good job! You thought through your challenges, and tried to find the most efficient way of doing it."

"Remember, a well prepared Pathfinder will have ways of overcoming any obstacle. Don’t overlook items that do not have immediate combat potential. Use your consumables wisely, and try and pack anything that you might need!"

“Thank you for your time! Please report back to the Grand Lodge after this!”

You make your way back to the Grand Lodge. The Venture-Captain of the Grand Lodge approaches with a smile on his face. “Excellent work, everyone. You’ve all earned your rest after those trials of body and mind. Fortunately, local Pathfinder by the name of Solvatar Caryg has offered to treat you to a fine dinner as well as to put you up for the night in his lavish guest rooms. I’ve got a coach ready to take you to his estate. Enjoy your evening. The deans will give you your scores tomorrow morning.”

Ronnie seems pleased to have helped to be pathfinders with their tests. He also seems very excited about prospects of a feast! " This will now be a new tradition. Feast after successful mission. Thank you, venture Captain."

Norbwald claps "I could use a good meal after all that."

"Finally! Some rest and relaxation! I never quite understood how it is adventurers like my sisters get a kick out of this stuff!"

The promised coach waits outside and takes you to Caryg Manor, a walled mansion in the Petal District. Once you arrive, Solvatar Caryg emerges and greets them with wide arms and a smile. He ushers them personally into his manor home, where his servants present an extravagant five-course meal while he regales you with long-winded tales from his past missions. He seems to grow a bit embarrassed. "Please, I have told enough about my past missions. Please, tell me some of yours!" He listens eagerly.

It is Achurious' turn to look embarrassed.

"Well, I'm still a bit of a newbie and in training. We did well during training though." He explains as his voice trails off at the end.

Ronnie's shade of red matches Achurius'.

"Yes, I have not been on so many missions yet either. On my last one, I did get to meet some nice kamis and save some lost Pathfinders!" He says with a big smile, causing his moustache to look as if it were going to jump off of his face.

"Oh! And I finished the mission by cutting a hag in half with a katana! That was very much fun. Bloop. Her upper body fell right off of her legs, and then they fell moments latter like an old rotten tree."

The smile persists.

"Ah, yes. A Bloop," Webny adds, eloquently.

Norbwald explains "I got stuck out in the gravelands, it was pretty horrible. With some help from the Society I've made it back to civilization though. Yay."

"My duties as of late have kept me around Absalom."

During dessert, a servant rushes in and whispers in Solvatar’s ear. He grows visibly upset and excuses himself, explaining, “This is an urgent matter, I’m afraid—though nothing you need to trouble yourselves with. Please relax and enjoy your stay.”

Webny and Achurius notice that there is something odd or performative about Caryg’s behavior, but you cannot discern precisely what.

Caryg does not appear for the rest of the night. You are escorted to your rooms after a long evenings of good food and drinks by a valet.

Retcon

"I was involved with Stella Fane in Port Peril. The evening devolved into a free-for-all"

End Retcon

Suspecting nothing, and not motivated to get to the bottom of their hosts odd behavior, Achurius makes himself comfortable in his (private?) room.

Very happy with the day's work put in and the lovely festivities following, Ronnie walks with his comrades and valet to his lodging chatting amicably. After getting to his room, he will sit for a bit, running through the day's events before hitting the sack.

While heading back to the rooms, Webny whispers "Did it seem odd to anyone else that Solvatar never came back? Should we perhaps go and see where he went off to? I think perhaps he was putting on a bit of a brave face for us, but something may well be wrong."

Shayna doesn't suspect anything but enjoys the luxurious lodgings while she can.

"This is what I'll get when I make it big" she thinks to herself.

Ronnie is shocked out of his planning out the rest of the evening.

"Oh? You think that our host is in danger? We should go help!"

As you exit the room out of worry for the Master of the House you run into the Valet. "Oh, may I help you. Do you require any assistance?"

"Yes. We were wondering what became of Master Solvatar?"

"The master said he would be back in the morning." says the valet. "I shouldn't worry if I were you. Do you need anything prior to turning in? You beds have all been turned down, and I can offer you a glass of sherry or some camomile tea, if you would like."

Norbwald skips on the nightcap to make sure to have plenty of time to get sleep.

You sleep through the night without issue, and each of you is wakened by a servant who offers to escort you to the waiting carriage.

As you wait in the couryard you hear a scream from the Valet as he begins to run away in fear. Looking to the western wall you spot a trio of strange humanoid creatures climbing over it. They appear to be gaunt, with pale flesh and white eyes, a poisoned dagger gripped tightly in the palm of their hands.

Before you have any time to react a glbe of pure darkness descends around you, turning all but Fisette blind to their surroundings. Template on the map is darkness.

Green Dagger vs Ronnie AC FF 17: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Sneak Attack Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Yellow Dagger vs Norbwald AC FF 16: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Sneak Attack Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

You begin to hear several footsteps all around you scampering through the darkness as a knifeblade stabs into Ronnie and Norbwald.

★★★
From the Shadows! Round 1

Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Creeper (Red) (-0 HP) │ Undetected (Unless have Darkvision) |
Creeper (Green) (-0 HP) │ Undetected (Unless have Darkvision) | Hidden to Ronnie
Creeper (Yellow) (-0 HP) │ Undetected (Unless have Darkvision) | Hidden to Norbwald
➤ Shayna (17/17 HP) │ Blinded (Darkness)
➤ Achurius (15/15 HP) │ Blinded (Darkness)
➤ Norbwald (7/18 HP) │ Blinded (Darkness)
➤ Webny (20/20 HP) │ Blinded (Darkness)
➤ Fisette (15/15 HP)
➤ Ronnie (10/21 HP) │ Blinded (Darkness)

Achurius is the first to react, running forward so he can see what is going on.

"Uh, oh," he mutters as he realizes that he is ahead of everyone and in a rather exposed position. Only seeing one opponent (though he can hear some kind of commotion going on in the cloud of darkness), he zaps the only target he can see (red creeper) with a DC 17 Daze spell for 4 points of damage.

Shayna plays a fast melody on her flute, hoping to drive away the darkness (figuratively) and inspire her companions.

Performance, Lingering Composition: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

She then lights her wayfinder, hoping to counteract the darkness and casts Shield.

◇ Lingering Composition
◆ Inspire Courage
◆ Light (from Wayfinder)
◆ Shield

flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 20

flick mace: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 1 = 20

damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

flick mace: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 1 - 5 = 24

damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

◆ strike
◆ strike
◆ raise shield
↺ shield block

"what is this?! They are right in front of us!"

Norbwald cries out in pain and flees from the knife that was sticking him.

I think it's all difficult terrain since I'm blinded so double move north before I can see.

Free of the darkness but not seeing any foes on this side Norbwald makes for the bushes and regroups.

Calling upon her innate abilities, Fisette tries to dispel the darkness.

◆◆ Cast a Spell (light level 1)
Counteract: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

◆ Cast a Spell (shield)

Shayna Counteract: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Shayna inspires the group in song as she cracks open her wayfinder. No light even begins to spill out from the wayfinder as the darkness overtakes it completely.

Achurius stumbles his way through the darkness and outside of it. It would have cost three move actions to get there as while blnded in the darkness the squares are considered difficult terrain. Even if you had left the darkness earlier you would have had to pass thrugh the fountain, also difficult terrain.

Norbwald flees in the opposite direction as he and Achurius nearly crash inot each other. Fisette tries a more powerful light, even though it hurts her own eyes. Raising a hand into teh air a glimmer of light glows brighter and brighter as it fights back against the darkness.

Successfully Counteracted!

Grinning as Ronnie now sees both enemies in front of him he flicks his mace out into the creeper's chest. No raise shield as you would have had to spend an action to draw your weapon. You likely would not have had it out in the courtyard and not expecting trouble. Let me know if you wish to raise shield rather than that second attack and I will adjust the damage.

★★★
From the Shadows! Round 1

Party Conditions: Inspire Courage
Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Creeper (Red) (-0 HP)
Creeper (Green) (-16 HP)
Creeper (Yellow) (-0 HP)
Shayna (17/17 HP)
Achurius (15/15 HP)
Norbwald (7/18 HP)
➤ Webny (20/20 HP)
Fisette (15/15 HP)
Ronnie (10/21 HP)

Oh, oh. I liked it better when it was dark.

Webny will Hunt Prey (◆) against the Creeper directly in front of her. As part of the Hunt Prey action, she gets to Recall Knowledge at +2 and her AC against that critter raises to a 19. On a critical success, everyone gets a +1 circumstance bonus to attacks against it, though I'm not sure how that would stack with Shayna's awesome Inspire Courage. Webny will then Strike at it with her bow (◆) and then Strike again (◆).

Webny focuses in on the creature directly in front of her and fires!

Strike 1: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16 for potentially 1d6 ⇒ 3 piercing damage.

Strike 2: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 + 1 = 22 for potentially 1d6 ⇒ 5 piercing damage. Hey, a natural 20! Do I double the value of the die rolled or roll a second d6 (assuming that gives Webny a critical success)?

Double the roll, but you roll an additional 1d10 for the deadly trait.

Webny knows these to be duergar. Often referred to as duergar taskmasters, these leaders often issue commands to duergar subordinates and slaves in the same breath, treating the two almost as if they were interchangeable. As a result, duergar taskmasters are loathed by both slave and slaver alike.

Deadly Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 10

Webny knows all se will need to and that is they will bleed. Pulling a couple of arrows the first misses but the second finds a set of lungs as the creeper gasps for breath, pulling the arrow out.

One of the Creepers slinks around the bushes to try and get behind you as the other two work on getting darkness back in the area as two additional globes fall in around the area.

Both yellow and green would provoke and AoO from Ronnie if he so wishes.

★★★
From the Shadows! Round 2

Party Conditions: Inspire Courage
Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Creeper (Red) (-0 HP) │ Hidden (Unless have Darkvision) |
Creeper (Green) (-16 HP) │ Hidden (Unless have Darkvision) |
Creeper (Yellow) (-15 HP) │ Hidden (Unless have Darkvision) |
➤ Shayna (17/17 HP) │ Blinded (Darkness)
➤ Achurius (15/15 HP) │ Blinded (Darkness)
➤ Norbwald (7/18 HP) │ Blinded (Darkness)
➤ Webny (20/20 HP) │ Blinded (Darkness)
➤ Fisette (15/15 HP)
➤ Ronnie (10/21 HP) │ Blinded (Darkness)

The enemies are only hidden this round as you have seen whatsquares they were in prior to the darkness.

Since they did something other than attack me...

green AoO: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 1 = 12

dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

"Um, can someone make it lit again? It keeps going dark."

You only get the 1 reaction unless you have feats allowing for others.

Now that he knows where they are he boldly steps into the darkness and unleashes a [url=https://2e.aonprd.com/Spells.aspx?ID=410]cry of destruction, catching green and yellow in the nasty cone.

How nasty, you ask?

DC 17 for 1d8 ⇒ 2 sonic damage, so not all that nasty.

DC 11 Flat Check to Perceive Baddies: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Webny is unfooled by the sudden darkness and fires at the same foe.

Strike 1: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 = 23 for potentially 1d6 ⇒ 1 damage.

Strike 2: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 + 1 = 13 for potentially 1d6 ⇒ 4 damage.

Strike 1: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (20) - 3 = 17 for potentially 1d6 ⇒ 1 damage. If that's a crit, that 1 becomes 2 and it also does 1d10 ⇒ 2.

Thanks, Fisette, for helping me figure out the crit damage!

Norbwald stays low in the bushes and listens for footsteps where he came from.

15ft burst on where Norbwald was stabbed which I think includes yellow and green.

Perception +4, I think Seek is secret.

Fisette again tries to counter the darkness around her.

Counteract: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

"I can do this all day."

She puts up her shield again.

flickmace on green: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 1 = 26

dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

2nd flickmace on green: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 1 - 5 = 20

dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

◆ strike
◆ strike
◆ raise shield

Because I now understand a flat check is needed for each action, here are checks for Webny's 2nd and 3rd Strikes. Next time, I'll just wait for Fisette to dispel the darkness again.

Flat Check 2: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Flat Check 3: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Yellow Fort DC 17: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Green Fort DC 17: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Achurius moves back and screams into the darkness. Norbwald peers into the edges of the darkness and sees subtle movements within spotting the pair of creepers. Unfortunately his aim is a bit off as he misses them.

Webny manages to land a couple more arrows into the wounded creeper as Fisette wipes the darkness away from the pair with a simple wave of her hand.

Ronnie's flickmace flings into the air as it y-yo's back down, crushing the creature into the pavement.

★★★
From the Shadows! Round 2

Party Conditions: Inspire Courage
Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Creeper (Red) (-0 HP) │ Hidden (Unless have Darkvision) |
Creeper (Yellow) (-24 HP)
➤ Shayna (17/17 HP)
Achurius (15/15 HP)
Norbwald (7/18 HP)
Webny (20/20 HP)
Fisette (15/15 HP)
Ronnie (10/21 HP)